ACRB

Atlanta Citizen Review Board Overview

The Atlanta Citizen Review Board (ACRB) was established by City Ordinance as an independent agency in 2007 (Amended May 2010). The purpose of the legislation is to ensure that city departments directly responsible for public safety, particularly the Police Department and the Department of Corrections have the proper support of the government and its various agencies. It is designed to provide citizen oversight of misconduct accusations against sworn members of the police and corrections departments in the City of Atlanta.

The ACRB provides a credible, independent forum where complaints and accusations can be assessed. It is also designed to help prevent future incidents of police or corrections misconduct and abuses of civil rights and to reduce the amount of money needed to satisfy judgments and settlements based on upon allegations of police or corrections misconduct. The ACRB promotes public confidence in law enforcement and lessens the possibility that future incidents of urban unrest will occur.

View ACRB’s 2011 Semi-Annual Report – June (pdf)

View ACRB’s 2010 4th Quarter Report (pdf)

View ACRB’s 2009 Annual Report

What Does The ACRB Do?

The Atlanta Citizen Review Board receives complaints from members of the public concerning sworn members of the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Corrections Department. The Board reviews the complaint, and may require an investigation into the complaint. The Board may also conduct public hearings and study broader issues that may be of concern to the community. The Board may advise the Mayor, the President of Council, Council members, and the Chief of Police and Corrections Department with the purpose of improving the ability of police personnel to carry out their duties, and to improve the relationship between the Department, Corrections and the community.

The Process

The Office of the Atlanta Citizen Review Board provides a venue for citizens to file formal complaints against sworn members of the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Corrections Department. The Board is authorized to receive complaints that fall into the following categories:

If the Atlanta Citizen Review Board decides to have the matter investigated, the staff investigator will conduct the investigation. After the investigation is deemed complete, the Board may conduct a review of the file or hold a hearing in order to establish findings and recommendations.

Notice of the hearing will be provided to the complainant and the subject officer(s). The complainant as well as the involved officers may be asked to testify.

The Atlanta Citizen Review Board members may deliberate in a closed session; however, their vote will be held in public. The complainant or subject officer(s) may have a representative of his/her choice present during the public hearing.

Filing A Complaint

The ACRB will only investigate complaints that fall into the following categories:

• abusive use of language;
• false arrest;
• false imprisonment;
• harassment;
• use of excessive force;
• serious bodily injury; or
• death that is alleged to be the result of the actions of a sworn employee of the Atlanta Police Department or the Atlanta Department of Corrections.

If your complaint does not relate to one of these categories please refer to the “Resources” listed for further information that may assist your needs.

Other Resources

To file a complaint with the Atlanta Police Department especially concerning complaints about an issue not covered by the Atlanta Citizen Review Board: Atlanta Police Department

To Explore Other Legal Resources provided by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society: www.atlantalegalaid.org/others.htm

To Learn More About Police Oversight from The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement: www.nacole.org

Resources For Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement